Float and safety valve



E. C. ROSENOW FLOAT AND SAFETY VALVE Filed-April 21, 1928 Jah. 6, 1931.

Patented Jan. 6, 1931 UNITED STATES EDWARD C. ROSENOW, 0F ROCHESTER, MINNESOTA FLOAT AND SAFETY VALVE Application filed April 21, 1928. Serial No. 271,731.

5 While the invention is applicable to various tanks in which it is adapted to maintain a level, it particularly is designed for a tank containing water for a humidifying device. In such a device it is desirable and necessary 0 that the valve structure be simple and that it be very positive and accurate in its operation, so that the water supply may be turned on continuously and yet the device will operate with the desired amount of water at all 15 times. It is also desirable to have provision for discontinuing the supply of water if thelevel should rise beyond a certain point.

It is an object of this invention, therefore, to provide a very simple and ellicient valve arrangement for maintaining a certain level of liquid in a receptacle.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a valve structure and arrangement for maintaining a certain level of water in the receptacle with a. safety valve of simple form and of very positive operation, foishutting olf the supplyof water should the level of liquid rise beyond a certain point.

It is still another, object of the invention nto provide a very simple structi'ue of shutolf valve for a liquid.

It is more specifically an object of the invention to provide a valve structure comprising a liquid supply means for a receptacle, a float operated means for controlling said supply means to maint-ain a certain level in said receptacle, and a safety valve operated by an overflow receptacle for shutting 0H said supply means, should said float-operated means fail to operate.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention Will be fully set forth in the following` description made in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views and in which:

Fig. 1 is a central vertical section through the receptacle and valve structure, showing the Hoat and float lever in side' elevation;

vshort section of pipe or nipple 15, thesame Bassum Fig. 2 is a vertical section taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. l3is a vertical section taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 2; A

Fig. 4 is a horizontal section taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a valve structure used; and

Fig. 6 is a vertical section taken on line 6-6 of Fig. 3, said sections heilig taken as indicated by the arrows.

Referring to the drawings, a liquid containing tank or receptacle 10 is shown, and while this tank'may be of various forms, in the embodiment of the invention illustrated it is shown as being rectangular in cross sectlon. A casing 11 is supported in receptacle 10, said casing being shown as having a bottom flange 11a adapted to be secured to the bottom of receptacle 10 in any suitable manner, as by soldering or spot welding. The casing 10 has a vertically extending substantially cylindrical portion having a laterally extending hub or projection 1lb. The top r of said casing 11 is exteriorly threaded to receive. a packing gland 12 between which and the top of said easing packing l ma)l he placed, adapted to be compressed about the lower end of a liquid supply pipe 14 which will he connected with any convenient water supply such as the water mains of a city. The lower end of pipe 14 terminates some distance above a partition 11e extending across member 11, into which is threaded a having secured to its upper portion which projects above projection 110, a cylindrical screen 16 having a closed and rounded upper end. It will be seen that Water entering casing 11 through pipe 14 must pass through screen 16 before passing through pipe 15 to the lower portion of casing 11. Secured in one side of casing 11 and communicating therewith, is a member or conduit 17, the same being illustrated as threaded int-o cas.- ing 11 and having a packing nut 18 thereon clamping a. gasket member 19 against the side of casing 11. The inner end of member 17 is beveled or tapered to forni a compara1 tively sharp annular edge 17a, and the outer bracing the same,

beris shown as having a bracket or lug 21a secured thereto, provided with several holes, to any one of which lever 20 may be pivoted. The inner end of lever 20 is flattened and has stretched thereabout and embracing the saine a resilient member 22 formed of rubber or y .similar material. The iiat surface of meinber 22 is adapted to be pressed against the edge 17 b. A rod 23 extends centrally through the projection 11b and is journaled ina partition therein passing through a packing member 24 preferably of rubber held in place by a packing member 25 threaded on the outer side ofprojection 11b. Metal washers 24a are disposed at each end of the packing 24, the bore in portion 11b being tubular or cylindrical, and have -holes slightly larger than the diameter of the rod 23. These washers and member 25 hold the rod 23 in proper position. The inner end of rod 23 has secured thereto a downwardl extending arm 26 shown as in the form o a fiat bar or plate, the upper end of which is received in a slot formed in. rod 23 and pivotally held in place by a screw 27. The lower end of member 26 has a resilient band 28 stretched thereabout and emone fiat side of which is adapted to be moved against the edge 17a. The rod'23 at the outer side of member 25 is bent upwardly and then horizontally toward casing 11 and is then bent upwardly, said upwardly extending portion having a laterally projecting arm 23a at its terminal end extending over the top edge of tank 10 and having a hook formed at its terminal end.

lA receptacle 29 illustrated as of c lindrical shape, is suspended from arm' 23 ya link 30, the lower end of which is connected to a ring 31 which is in turn connected to abail32 having the top portion linked in ring 31 and havingr outwardl and downwardly curved arms, the ends o which are secured to the inner sides of receptacle 29. The link 30 extends through the vertical arm 33a of a T member V33 threaded into one side of tank 10 and provided with a clamping nut 34. A coiled spring 35 extends about the portion 11b having one end bent around .the vertical portion of casing 11 and its other end bent around the rod 23. Thisspring 35 normally acts to elevate the arm23a and counterbalance the weight of receptacle 29.

In operation, the lever 20 and iioat 21 will be set so that the float will be raised to move member 22 against the outer end of member 17 to stop the ow of water when the desired level has been reachedin the tank as indicated in Figs. 1 and 2. The water is supplied throughthe pipe 14 which, as stated, will be .connected to a'suitable water supply, .and

waterfrom member 17. lIf for any reason valve 22 should fail to function and shut oli:` the flow of water through member 17, water will continue to pass into tank 1() and the level will rise therein so that eventually water will pass through the T 23-as indicated by the arrow in Fig. 1 and will flow through the vertical funnel-shaped arm 33a thereof linto receptacle 29. The weight of the water accumulating in receptacle 29 will pllll down 0n arm 23a 0f lever or rod 23, causing said rod to rotate about the axis of the portion passing through members 25 and partition 11b. This portion swings in a clockwise direction as seen in Fig. 3 and valve 28 is moved against theinner end of conduit 17, thus closing this end 'and preventing any more water from flowing into the tank 10. It will be noted that member 28 moves to its closing position in the same direction as the Water flows. VThis is desirable and assists in insuring that the valve 28, which is the safety valve, will close. On the other hand, the water flowing out of'mexnber 17 will tend to keep valve 22 clean and wash away any obstructions. After valve 28 closes, the device will have to receive personal vattention and the valve 22 and the float and lever adjusted to work, properly. The water in receptacle 29 will be emptied and tlie parts will again assume their normal position. y

From the above description it will be seen that applicant has provided a very simple regulating and safety valve structure and one that is quite positive inoperation. It will be noted that the water level as shown in Fig. 1 is normally kept above the water outlet of member 15, the opening in ,member 115 and the opening in member 17 thus assuring against any trouble from liming oi the working parts. It will also be noted that i the safety orv emergency valve functions without any parts moving through a very tight or highly compressed packing. The rod 23 may be tight in member 24 andthe latter member may yield or flex as said rod oscillates. This is 'an advantage, as the parts will be muchless liable to stick and a more positive operation is assured. It will also be noted that member 28 closes the inner end of member 17 without any change of volume takingplace in the casing 11, member 28 merely changing its position in said casing. Attention is particularly called to the simple structure of closing valves which merely comprise the fiat elastic band stretched over the Heat member. The device comprises comparatively few parts and is very easily assembled. In assembling the rod 23 the valve 28 and arm 26 are swung into alinenient with rod 23 and then passed into the portion 11b through the opening therein and arm 26 permitted to swing downwardly into position. The end of rod 23 extends substantially to the wall of casing 11. The other parts which have been assembled on said rod are then positioned. The device has been amply demoiistiated in actual practice and found to be very successful.

It will, of course, be understood that various changes may be made in the form, details, arrangement and proportions of the parts, without departing from the scope of applicant-s invention, which, generally stated, consists in a device capable of carrying out the objects above set forth, in the novel parts and combinations of parts disclosed and defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is 1. A valve structure for a water tank having in combination with a supply pipe for said tank, a cham'ber with which said supply pipe communicates, a discharge conduit leading from said chamber, a valve adapted to engage the end of said conduit to prevent the flow of water therefrom, a float operated` lever in said tank for moving said valve, a

valve in said chamber adapted to control the flow of liquid through said conduit, said valve being normally open, and an overflow means adapted to move said latter valve to prevent the flow of water through said conduit fro'm said chamber when said first nientioned valve fails to operate. ,j

2. A vvalve structure for a water tank having in combination with a supply pipe for said tank, a chamber with which said su ply pipe communicates` a conduit leading fioni said chamber, a ioat operated valve for-controlling the flow of water from the other end of said conduit, constructed and arranged to close rin a direction opposite to the flow ofA water in said conduit, and a valve in said chamber for controlling the flow of water through said conduit when said first mentioned valve fails to function, said latter valve closing in the same direction as the fiow of water through said conduit.

3. A valve structure for a water tank having in combination, a chamber through which water passes to said tank, a conduit leading from said chamber, an oscillating float-operated valve'cooperating with one end of `said conduit to close the same when the Water reaches acertain level in said tank, an oscillating valve in said ,casing swinging about an axis at right angles to said first mentioned valve adapted to close another portion of said conduit when said first mentioned valve fails to function, and an overfiow means for operating said last mentioned valve.

4. A valve structure for a water tank having in combination, a casing through which water passes to said tank, a conduit leading from said casing, a fioat operated lever, a valve carried by said lever for closing said conduit when the water reaches, a certain level in said tank, a rod extending into the side of said casing and oscillatable therein, a

valve carried b said rod normally in open position but a apted to close said conduit upon oscillation of said rod, said rod coinprisiiig a lever and an overflow means adapted to move said lever to oscillate said rod and close said last mentioned valve.

5. A valve structure for maintaining a certain level in a water tank having in combination, a supply pipe for said tank, a casing with which said supply pipe communicates, a conduit leading from said casing having its inner and outer end formed as valve seats, a float operated valve co-operating with the `Outer end of said conduit to close the same when the water reaches a certain level in said tank, and a valve in said casing co-opei'ating with the other end of said conduit,a lever for operating said latter valve to close the saine when said first mentioned valve fails to operate, and an overflow receptacle connected with said lever for operating the same. v

6. A valve structure for maintaing a level of liquid in the tankhaving in combination, a supply pipe for said liquid, a casing with which said supply pipe communicates and delivers, having a laterally projecting portion, aeonduit communicating with said casing and projecting from the side thereof, a float operated valve ceo-operating with the outer end of said conduit to close the same when the water reaches a certain level in said tank` a valve (zo-operating with the inner end of -said conduit to close the saine when said first f mentioned valve fails to function, a rod extending through said laterally projecting portion of said casing and bent to form a lever, an -overfiow receptacle supported by said lever and a spring acting on said lever for counterbalancing the weight of said receptacle.

7. A valve structure comprising a conduit,

a member movable toward the end of said conduit, said member being in the form of a attened b'ar and havinga resilient flat band embracing the same, the flat surface of which band is adapted to move against said conduit to close the saine.

9. A valve structure for maintaining a 8. A valve structure comprising aflat bar' lpipe communicates, y

casing and pipe through which said water v level of water in a Water tank having in combination, a supply pipe for said Water, a casing in said tank with the top of which said a screen disposed in said passes, a right-angled conduit secured in said casing having tapered ends forming comparatively sharp annular edges, a float-operated lever, a flat resilient valve carried thereby and adapted to move against the outer end of said conduit to close the same when the water reaches a certain level in said tank, an oscillating member in said casing` having a flat resilient surface adapted to move against V the inner end of said conduit to close the same when said first mentioned valve fails to function, a rod extending through the side of said casing carrying said oscillating member, said rod being reversely bent and having an arm extending over the edge of said tank, an overow receptacle suspended on said arm adapted to swing said rod .and close said latter valve, and meansfor holding said valve in open position and counterbalancing the weight of said receptacle.

10. A valve structure for maintaining a certainlevel in a Water tank having in combination, a casing, av supply pipe for said tank communicating with said casing, a member leading from said casing, a valve constructed and arranged to close the outer end of said member when the water reaches a certain level in said tank, and means for closing the inner side of said member when the water reaches a higher level in said tank, saidmeans closing in the same direction as the How of water through said member.

11. A valve structure for maintaining a level of liquid in a tank having in combination a supply pipe, a casing disposed in said tank with which said supply pipe connects having a chamber therein, a. pipe extendingfrom said chamber, a screen of closed cylindrical shape secured to the end of said pipe and extending` into said supply pipe, a. con-v duitextending horizontally from the side of said casing and having a vertically projecting end at the outer side of said casing, the inner end of said conduit being formed as a valve seat, a rod journaled in the side of said casing and having a valve thereon adapted to move against the inner end of said conduit upon oscillation of said rod, said rod having a lever' arm, means receiving over-flow liquid from said tank for operating vsaid lever arm, a valve for closing the outer end of said conduit and a ioat and loat lever in said tank for operating said last mentioned valve.

In testimony whereof I aix my signature,

' EDWARD C. ROSENOW. 

